In creating market operation in Dutch public transport, the legal basis (step 1) is ready. Step 2 is to create the material conditions. This requires, among other things, a new vision on infrastructure. The railway infrastructure has to be adapted to suit flexible and efficient use by more operators. The following propositions are put forward: (1) In terms of flexibility, the existing railway network resembles rather a "board game" than the "Internet"; (2) Dedicated infrastructure causes dispersion, rigidity and sub-optimum use; (3) Market operation and optimal utilisation require universal infrastructure and a new, flexible `operating system'; (4) The operating system of the railways has to be detached from the time schedule. Time slots are preferably allocated dynamically according to the real-time situation; (5) Optimum utilisation requires a metro-like system with short intervals as well as removing bottlenecks at stations; (6) Concessions for operation should be based on time slots; and (7) investments in infrastructure should be based on the time slot remuneration paid by the operators. (A)
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